Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 3 g/L
pH 3.45
Total Acidity 5.75 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 10+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Hutton, Tukulu
Grapes Picked February 2024
Fermentation Vessels French Oak Hogshead Barrels
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 14 months
Oak Details 72% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak72%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300L Hogsheads
Bottling Date June 2025
Fining Agents Isinglass, Bentonite
Production Details The Five Soldiers vineyard is named after five tall stone pine trees called the "Five Soldiers" that tower over this site. Carefully selected Chardonnay bunches from this area are hand harvested for this special wine and then given royal treatment in the cellar. The final product is a very complex full-bodied wine, approachable in its youth however careful cellaring will exhibit the depth of the wine's complexity and will reward patience. The Winter of 2023 was cold and wet, as was the season's Spring, leading to the late budding of many varieties. While the excellent ground water availability was welcome, the early growing conditions were challenging due to the influence of rain. The resultant humidity, and at other times high winds, ultimately resulted in lower cropping levels. As Summer progressed, the influence of the El Nino weather phenomenon brought ideal warm, dry ripening conditions, as well as an early start and end to the vintage, a relief from the past few wetter harvests. The overall quality of the wines produced across the board in 2024 was superb. The white wines of this vintage have excellent acidity, thanks to the cool start to the season and express fully ripe fruit, a benefit of the warmer second half of Summer in the lead up to and during the harvest season. Trellising/Pruning System: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioned), 2 Node Spur Pruned. Irrigation Type: Minimal Drip Irrigation. Lees Aging: Aged On Lees For Duration Of Oak Aging. Age and Type of Oak: 72% New Burgundian 300L Hogsheads (Remainder 2nd fill).
Tasting Notes
ripe citrus, melon, peach, minerality, well-judged oaking, complex, long finish, creamy finish, good acid backbone
Individual Vintages
Producer Information
Website
Address
Rustenberg Wines, Rustenberg Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 809 1200
Email
Owner
Barlow Family (Simon, Rozanne, Murray)
Cellarmaster
Murray Barlow